Lent 2018 Week 4: Creating Jobs in the Slums of Accra

Have you ever struggled to find a job or a source of income? Is there unemployment where you live? Young adults in a slum outside of Accra, Ghana face a lot of challenges including high unemployment. As outreach to this community, the Anglican church is building a community center where youth will be able to receive job training, Bible-based mentoring, counseling, and leadership development.

In the poorest suburbs around greater Accra, youth must also deal with political violence, armed robbery, rampant drug and alcohol use. Without meaningful employment, young people turn to gangs, petty theft and illegal drugs. Many girls drop out of school and some are swept up into prostitution. Hospitals report the rate of HIV/AIDS infections is rising among young people.

The government of Ghana cannot meet all of the needs for job creation and other social services. Who else but the church can offer practical help, lasting hope, and grace? Fortunately, social outreach is at the heart of the Diocese of Accra and they are experienced at offering educational opportunities to youth.

Youth participating in an earlier training held in Accra

For this project, the Diocese of Accra will build a Youth Development Center, where vocational and spiritual training will provide young people aged 17-25 with opportunities and hope. To develop job skills, training will include technical and computer skills as well as adult education. The center will also offer recreational facilities, a community library, and a youth savings and credit cooperative.

[This] Youth Center will be the first institution that provides holistic ministry to people of Otinbi area in the Legekuku-Krowor community by offering compassion, hope, and a helping hand. Vocational skills training that combines with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in my opinion, is greatly needed in this community. I have high hopes that this project will have a tremendous impact on the community. The youth will become the foundation for positive change throughout the whole community for generations to come.” – Alexis Danikuu, founder, Center for Development Initiative, Accra

Construction will take nearly a year, but once completed, the center will serve over 300 young people in the community.

The training I received helped me to start my own business. It is [a] program I will always urge every young man in the Anglican Diocese of Accra to participate in. I initially was reluctant and did not want to join the program, but when I did so, I have never regretted the decision to join. I learned and gained a lot … It is a program that brings together young people to learn and become better people in the community…. I encourage young people to participate in this program because it through this that we will create jobs and wealth for our people.” — David Obisama, entrepreneur and beneficiary from an earlier training

Lord, we lift up the church in Accra. The challenges for the youth there are so great but You are greater. We ask for Your protection for these youth, that they would avoid the worldly temptations of the slums and would walk into a meaningful relationship with You.

How to contribute? $1,000 pays one-eight of the anticipated electrical installation costs.

About ARDF

Through the love of Jesus Christ, ARDF strives to connect those who can provide with those who need through a holistic, high impact, and proven community development approach so that believers are strengthened and encouraged, lives are rescued and made whole, and Christ is glorified.